Dubai layovers: Dubai International (DXB)

At a glance

• Three terminals:
  • Terminal 3 has A, B and C Gates and is used mainly by Emirates, flydubai, United and Air Canada.
  • Terminal 1 has D Gates and serves many international carriers.
  • Terminal 2 has F Gates and serves regional and international flights. ^[S1]
• Second Dubai airport: Al Maktoum International (DWC) is about 60 km away. Changing between DXB and DWC means clearing immigration and collecting your bags. ^[S1]
• Emirates Dubai Connect: Emirates offers a free hotel for eligible 6–26 hour connections. ^[S4]

Minimum connection times

• Not published on the airport's transfer page. The airport tells passengers transferring between concourses or terminals to check with their airline. ^[S1]
• Emirates' and flydubai's own MCTs weren't confirmed on an official page, so check with your airline.
• Our guidance (not an official rule): 90 minutes within Terminal 3, 2+ hours between terminals, and 3+ hours on separate tickets.

Terminals and transfers

• Transfer desks issue onward boarding passes. Follow the signs or ask a Guest Experience Ambassador. ^[S1]
• Within Terminal 3: walk between B and C Gates. Take the airport train to A Gates. ^[S1]
• Terminal 1: reach the D Gates by a short airport-train ride. ^[S1]
• Separate tickets: if you don't need a visa, or already hold a Dubai visa, you must clear passport control, collect bags and check in again. If you need a visa but don't have one, Marhaba Services at the transfer desk can transfer bags for a fee. ^[S1]

Transit visas

US passport holders

• No advance visa needed; you're stamped in on arrival. Emirates lists the US among countries whose passports get a multiple-entry 90-day visit visa, valid 6 months from issue, for 90 days total. ^[S2] (The "free of charge" wording appears on the 30-day list; whether the 90-day stamp is free isn't confirmed; check with your airline, though no fee is listed.)
• Emirates says passports should be valid 6 months. ^[S2]

Philippine passport holders

• Not on the visa-on-arrival lists. ^[S2]
• Staying airside: a transit visa is only needed if you intend to leave the airport. ^[S3] The airside Dubai International Hotel says no transit visa is needed for its guests (see below). ^[S6]
• Transit visas (48 or 96 hours): these are sponsored by UAE-based airlines and must be approved before arrival. They're single entry and can't be extended. You apply through the airline, a travel agency or an airport hotel. ^[S3]
  • Emirates: 48-hour transit visa US$10; 96-hour US$49. You apply through Manage Your Booking or at the Emirates visa office in Terminal 3. ^[S2]
  • Emirates' online visa service needs an issued Emirates ticket with Emirates flights in and out of Dubai on one booking. Allow at least 4 working days. ^[S2]
• Visit entry permit (14 or 60 days) for Philippine nationals is limited to those who hold a US green card, a US visa valid 6+ months, or certain UK, EU, Canada, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Singapore residency permits or visas. ^[S2]

Leaving the airport on a layover

• Emirates Dubai Connect:
  • Free hotel stay, applicable meals, airport transfers and visa help for Emirates connections of 6 to 26 hours.
  • You must be on the shortest available connection, on one Emirates (176) ticket, with Emirates-operated flights. flydubai flights qualify only at Terminal 3.
  • Minimum fare rules apply for Economy and Premium Economy, and rooms depend on availability.
  • You must be able to enter the UAE. ^[S4]
• Free transit tours: none found on the official airport pages; check with your airline.
• Getting into the city: the Dubai Metro serves the airport ^[S1]; travel times weren't checked, so check with your airline.

Lounges and sleep

• Dubai International Hotel: airside, with rooms across Concourses A, B and C in Terminal 3. It's for transit passengers with an onward boarding pass, and you don't need a transit visa. ^[S5][S6]
• Sleepover (formerly Sleep 'n Fly): pods and cabins in Terminal 3. The B Gates location is listed separately by the operator. ^[S7][S8]
• Lounges: details are on the airport's experiences pages (not detailed here).

Layover ideas by length

Editorial suggestions, not official guidance.

• Under 6 hours: stay airside. Use Sleepover pods or the hotel's hourly rooms. ^[S5][S7]
• 6–12 hours:
  • On an eligible Emirates ticket, ask about Dubai Connect. ^[S4]
  • US passports can go into the city on visa on arrival. ^[S2]
  • Philippine passports need a pre-approved transit visa. ^[S3]
• Overnight: Dubai International Hotel airside (no visa needed) ^[S6], or Dubai Connect if eligible. ^[S4]

Pitfalls

1. Terminal 2 is separate. flydubai Terminal 2 flights don't qualify for Dubai Connect ^[S4]. The airport's transfer page describes airport trains only for Terminals 1 and 3, so ask your airline how to reach Terminal 2. ^[S1]
2. DXB vs DWC. A connection between the two airports means entering the UAE and traveling about 60 km. ^[S1]
3. Emirates transit visas only work on Emirates tickets and need about 4 working days. ^[S2]
4. Separate tickets: without a visa you can't collect your own bags. Ask Marhaba Services (paid). ^[S1]